Today in Star Trek history: James Doohan’s birthday

James Doohan as Montgomery “Scotty” Scott in Star Trek

It was today, March 3rd, back in 1920, that Star Trek actor James Doohan was born. Star Trek fans, of course, know him best as Montgomery Scott on The Original Series, usually called “Scotty”.

Canadian-born Doohan was a veteran of World War II, where he fought in the D-Day invasion of Normandy. He famously lost a finger in that battle, apparently to friendly fire.

Outside of Star Trek, Doohan was an accomplished television actor with credits across a range of projects, and stretching back to 1950. Rarely lauded by awards committees, Doohan was nominated for a Saturn Award in 1987 for his role in Star Trek IV: The One with the Whales, and he earned himself a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2004.

Sadly, Doohan passed away less than a year later, on July 20th, 2005.

Please join me in remembering James Doohan, on what would have been his 101st birthday.